Great hike, two sections are under construction and will get bridges in the coming months to assist in the water crossing. The Gapsa temple is a gorgeous and solemn place to pause in order to experience its beauty. Enjoy the waterfalls and quite woods on the way up.

Of note: up hill hiking is currently restricted from 0400-1700 which is not posted anywhere other than a few posters once you get 1/3 of the way up the Gapsa trail. Plan accordingly.

Very happy to have had the opportunity to visit this amazing place. The description says it is a hard course, it is, and it isn't. Be prepared for a lot of stairs! Not so bad if going down them, but if not....

This was my first hike in Korea, and I’m really glad I took it on. Still, it was far more intense than I expected. They really do mean this is a hike for experienced hikers. I am not one. But my friend and I managed. We took route 1, which is shown in red on the tail maps. The climb is incredibly steep, but doable. Sometimes the trail seems to disappear toward the top, and we found it best to always follow the ropes if the trail appears to split. When my friend and I started heading down we ran into the most trouble. We found that that particular trail (red going back toward the base of the mountain) is not often traversed. It was difficult to find where the trail was. There were several times along the way we found ourselves just heading down, hoping to see a sign, and needing to cross a creek or climb a few rocks to find our way back to the path. We almost got stuck when we discovered we’d come to the edge of a waterfall. A little scouting revealed a way down, but it was a little precarious. Eventually we did make it back. I highly recommend the hike for its stunning views and the intense workout. But if you are not experienced going off trail a bit and navigating rocky/rough terrain, I’d say go back out the way you came in. Happy Trails!

This was an absolutely beautiful hike, friendly people that were very welcoming and breathtaking views. Come well prepared with plenty of water and snacks, and be ready for LOTS of stairs. The trail is steep and strenous at times, but completely worth it.

I hiked this trail couple of times while I lived in Korea. I recommend hitting it each season to see all the pretty changes. During spring the area had tons of water falls and it was absolutely gorgeous. The inclines can be fairly steep and strenuous for an unaccustomed hiker, however, as long as you have water and snacks, it will be worth it to get to the top.

Forest, rock, and river views with gentle elevation changes. Wear comfortable, close-toed shoes suitable for walking on uneven and potentially slippery surfaces. Hold the handrail by the section of metal walkway on the way down to prevent taking a dive. Wildlife included several chipmunks, a frog, two crows, a magpie, and an unidentified, fast-moving rodent. Only encountered two other hikers on a Wednesday morning in May. No vendors, but there are a couple of toilets before you reach the major elbow of the trail towards Biryeong Falls. Very few informational panels are translated into English, but the directional signposts are.

Soyosan is a heavily traveled trail close to Dongducheon. It is a moderate to difficult trail based on the increase in elevation and endless flight of stairs. The view from the the top of mountain is great. Recommended gear to bring a backpack, water bottle, a snack, sweater or jacket (depending on the time of the year). There is a small entrance fee at the base along with shops and places to eat. There are signs located along the trail to guide you. Overall Soyosan is easily accessible, well marked, and well maintained. I would recommend

Not going to lie, this one kicked my ass a little. Granted it's been over 5 years since I last did it and my knees aren't what they used to be. Excellent hike nonetheless. The 4/5 stars is because you have to pay to enter the park now. I definitely recommend tackling the trails in the spring or the fall. Summer is very hot and the winter is icy to say the least.

Definitely crowded, at least when I went. But awesome fall colors around the end of October. Good view from the peak and great sunset. It still doesn't beat the 12000 ft peaks in the Sierra Nevada's where I'm from but good for South Korea. I'll probably be going back

Hiked this easy trail today with my boys. The hike to the waterfall is a nice easy stroll along a stream. The trail can then be continued up to the peak in better weather. Unfortunately that part of the trail was closed due to snow and we didn't have proper gear so the ranger wouldn't allow us to continue.

My family and I completed much of this hike this during the fall. The falls colors were great and the trail is exceptionally well maintained and marked. The best route is to go the full loop which goes up one side and then along the peak and down the other side. A portion of the trail crosses through a temple that resides in a cave. Since we had our two dogs with us we were unable to complete the loop and had to turn back and go another way to make it an out and back adventure for us. We may try again without the dogs another tie to get the full experience.

I completed this hike a couple of days ago with my two boys, ages 12 and 11. We completed the hike all the way to the peak which is about a 2000 ft elevation gain. The hike is difficult but very doable with a well marked and maintained trail the entire way. I would highly recommend this trail as it offers great diversity from forest to peaks and cultural temple sights along the way. We didn't have proper winter gear which made it a bit difficult and slippery near the top but by March it should be clear i would think.